Joseph B. Wirthlin says, “Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends.. it softens hearts and moulds relationships that can last lifetimes.” Stop for a moment to think of it and it is so true.. it costs nothing and yet the returns are higher than even Adani or Reliance on the Bombay Stock Exchange!
The dictionary defines it thusly.. “Kindness is a type
of behaviour marked by acts of generosity, consideration or concern for others,
without expecting praise or reward. It is being selfless, caring and
compassionate.” Being kind is actually something that should be our “default”
always!
Kindness means more than being caring friendly and
generous.. it can mean whatever you want it to mean.. It could mean going out
of your way to give someone a lift even though you’re driving in a different direction..
cooking something special for a neighbour when they’re unwell.. sending flowers
for no apparent reason at all to someone you love..
These days social media is constantly sending us
messages related to building EQ more than IQ.. being politically correct.. and two
such campaigns that truly resonated with me have been “pay it forward” and “practice
random acts of kindness”! It’s such a lovely feeling to do unexpected things
for people you know.. but even more fun to do them for the people you don’t!
For instance, you could just pay a balloon seller for 5 balloons and ask them
to give them free to the next 5 children who come to him.. and watch their
faces light up when they get the balloons for free! Even if you don’t wait to
watch this, you will have a smile that lights up your whole face.. and that’s a
promise!
Random acts of kindness can be the simplest things
like washing the breakfast dishes when your helper is in the bath.. or
accompanying someone who lives alone to the doctor.. gifting a unique experience
to someone for the first time – going parasailing.. doing a yoga or meditation class..
helping a friend arrange a messy cupboard etc.. As long as the recipient of
your kindness is happy and touched.. that’s all that matters!
One morning I was travelling by BEST bus to go to the
Sai Baba temple and there was just another gentleman on the bus. It was early
in the morning and when the conductor came to sell him a ticket, he offered a
100 rupee note! The conductor was very annoyed and grumbled away saying “How
can you expect change for 100 rupees early in the morning? Give me change!” the
poor man didn’t HAVE change so I bought his ticket and that was the end of it..
or so I thought! He was profusely grateful and gracious and I got off at my
stop and put the incident out of my mind! It was perhaps six months or a year
later when I went to a xerox shop behind my house that the owner gave me my
copies and refused to take the money.. it was the gentleman whose ticket I had
paid for on the bus! I didn’t recognize him initially but he remembered and
recognized me immediately! He introduced me to his sons and I always get
instant service and a discounted rate (without asking for it).. and we are good
friends to this day! Kindness has it’s own reward.. I have met some incredible
people like this..
Kindness means doing nice things without expecting
nice things in return.. and it’s not only about being nice when it’s easy.. it’s
also about being kind even when it’s difficult. It can also mean putting your
sorrow or grief aside to comfort another when their world is “falling apart”
for some reason or the other.. that is TRUE kindness!
Kindness is a movement.
Has someone ever done something kind for you and
all you wanted to do afterwards was pay it forward by doing something kind for
someone else? That’s because kindness is a chain reaction. It’s a wave that
keeps rolling, and all it takes is one person to start it. One small kind act
can cause a ripple effect that impacts an entire community. If we are all
focused on being kind, we are creating a movement of change.
We are all human and we make mistakes.. that’s why pencils have erasers right? We need to remember to be kind to ourselves and to others when these mistakes happen..
A few simple tips on how to be kind are thinking
before speaking.. remembering that none of us are perfect.. be intentionally
kind.. volunteer at an NGO.. pay compliments generously.. appreciate what
people do for you.. Last but not the least.. practise.. practise.. practise!
Positive reinforcement helps people want to do more good deeds and reminds them
to do whatever they do with good intentions!
It's one thing to be taught kindness.. it’s another to be touched by it.. Wishing your life to be filled with opportunities for giving and receiving kindness every single day! And as always, thank you so much for reading!
